Movie review: 'Crazy, Stupid, Love.' will find soft spot your heart

Friday

Jul 29, 2011 at 12:01 AMJul 29, 2011 at 6:43 AM

Quickly soaked, Carell looks up to the sky and says, “Ah, what a cliche.” That one improvised line speaks volumes about a romantic comedy that both mocks and embraces the rote elements of the genre but still manages to be refreshingly funny and real.

Dana Barbuto

In “Crazy, Stupid, Love.,” Steve Carell’s character stands outside in the dark. He’s crestfallen after an argument with his wife, and it begins to rain.

Quickly soaked, Carell looks up to the sky and says, “Ah, what a cliche.” That one improvised line speaks volumes about a romantic comedy that both mocks and embraces the rote elements of the genre but still manages to be refreshingly funny and real.

A lot of that hinges on the terrific ensemble cast includes Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, current “it” girl Emma Stone (“Easy A”), Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei, (“The Wrestler”), veteran character actor John Carroll Lynch (“Gran Torino”) and the ubiquitous Kevin Bacon. Even without a good story, the movie would be worthy just on the caliber of talent. That there is a story is a bonus.

Dan Fogelman, who co-wrote the animated family flicks “Cars,” “Tangled” and “Bolt,” pens a grownup comedy that doesn’t turn into a raunch-fest. Sure, Fogelman’s script –– centered on a naive man (Carell) left scrounging in the jungle of love after his cheating wife (Moore) leaves him for another man (Bacon) –– is a bit convoluted at times. But lucky for him, he has a squad of high-caliber actors to goose the storytelling.

Carell, back in his “40-Year-Old Virgin” mindset, is so skillful and versatile that he oscillates effortlessly between irony and slapstick, as his character re-enters the dating race with Gosling’s young player as his well-sculpted coach. You’ll be in a fit of laughter just watching Carell repeat “cuckold” in a crowded bar. It’s also nice to see Tomei become unhinged in her off-the-rails love scene with Carell.

Even Gosling, not known for comedy, really goes for it and holds his own, going toe-to-toe with Carell and Stone, the one nut his Lothario can’t crack. There’s plenty of comedic, romantic and bromantic chemistry percolating for sure. Who knew Gosling could be so funny?

And then there’s Stone. Her timing, delivery and overall awesomeness makes everything she’s in just that much better. Gosling’s six-pack abs should be outlawed and Stone’s reaction to it is priceless.

That “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” comes from directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa –– the guys who wrote the pitch-black “Bad Santa” and the under-watched gem “I Love You Phillip Morris” –– is the first hint that the picture won’t be afraid to color outside the lines with its outrageous situations. For the majority of the film, the directing duo doesn’t disappoint, as they guide three separate love stories that meet head-on in one mega plot twist.

At its core, “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” is a generational love story that explores mature love turned sour, the thrill of a first crush and the rush of finding the “one.” It might sound like a recipe for sentiment overload, but the filmmakers adeptly avoid the melodrama with irony and well-grounded characters.

Fogelman’s script jumps right into the conflict head first in the opening scene. After 25 years of marriage, Moore’s Emily wants a divorce. Cal, a typical suburban dad who thought he was living the dream, is blind-sided. He moves out that night and ends up at a local bar, sipping on vodka and cranberry cocktails. Wearing Dockers and dirty-white New Balance sneakers, Cal is the proverbial fish out of water. Gosling’s tailored-suit-clad Jacob takes pity on him and decides to help Cal rediscover his manhood.

Meanwhile, Cal’s wise-beyond-his-years son, Robbie (Jonah Bobo), is pining over his baby-sitter (Analeigh Tipton). And, later, Stone’s Hannah decides to shed her PG-13 existence and hook up with the studly Jacob. (Just wait ‘til you get a load of Jacob’s big move.)

Eventually, all the love stories collide –– they have to –– and the movie turns from name-brand to generic. All that genre-turning stuff is put right-side up. In the end, “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” does sell out, but the film still manages to find a soft place in your heart.